Tensions simmer in Yemen after airstrikes

Iran is urging dialogue between warring parties after Thursday's Saudi-led air strikes against Houthi rebels in Yemen. Nathan Frandino reports.

▲ Hide Transcript

▶ View Transcript

Tensions on the rise in Yemen, where vehicles belonging to Houthi rebels remain burning on the streets.
The violence took a dramatic turn Thursday when Saudi-led airstrikes against the rebels began.
Now the conflict risks escalating into a regional proxy conflict with a Sunni Muslim coalition backing embattled President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi against Iran-backed Shi'ite Houthis.
In Switzerland, Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif called for the end to the airstrikes.
(SOUNDBITE) (English) IRAN'S FOREIGN MINISTER, MOHAMMAD JAVAD ZARIF, SAYING:
ZARIF SAYING: "We have condemned them (air strikes). We believe that they will only cause loss of human life. They have to stop. Everybody has to encourage dialogue and national reconciliation in Yemen rather than making it more difficult for Yemenis to come together."
Riyadh's move to launch airstrikes in Yemen is the latest front in a growing regional contest for power with Iran.